The banquet was stifling. It was a gathering of high ranking officials and the Emperor's closest aides while court ladies flitted around, serving wine and food. Mingzhu, the General of the South, sighed in frustration. All of the people in the party were vapid and disgusting.

Perhaps it was his boredom, but whatever the reason, Mingzhu found himself downing the poisoned wine offered to him by a weaselly court official most likely ordered to by one of his enemies.

The poison wasn't potent enough to kill him but it would serve as a good excuse to leave. Finishing the cup, Mingzhu paused for a moment. Hm, it's got a little kick to it. Standing up, Mingzhu's chair clattered to the floor as he loudly proclaimed the wine to be poisoned. Flashing a smirk at his enemy, he strode out of the banquet, ignoring the commotion his declaration had caused.

Stumbling down the dark and empty hallway, Mingzhu was suddenly hit with a bout of dizziness. Groaning, he braced against the wall, bleary eyed and unwell.

Through the haze, he spotted someone familiar. Dressed in the simple robes of a court lady, he hadn't spotted them around at the banquet. However, their hair and mannerisms reminded him of the girl he had spent his childhood with. He had dreamed of marrying her one day before he was suddenly taken into the inner palace by the emperor in recognition of his talents.

Reaching out, he weakly clutched onto your sleeve. "Please...stay." He rasped out, swaying on his feet.